February 24
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Uncategorized Aside

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2, KJV)

It is a sad day, indeed, when we — for reasons I cannot begin to fathom — stop singing.

We sing as children, and love it.  In fact, who among us doesn’t remember the songs we learned and used to sing as children?

We hear birds sing, and love it.  In fact, their melodies are particularly welcome in the early Spring, when we yearn for any sign of warmer weather.

Most of us are fans of other people’s singing; but God has given each one of us a voice, and He delights in hearing our voices in song.  You needn’t sing like Adele.  You needn’t sound like Sinatra.  

What to sing?  Sing of His faithfulness.  Sing of His love.  Sing of His greatness, His mercy, and His care of us.

Just sing. It is music to our heavenly Father.  – Luther

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February 22
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Uncategorized Aside

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2, KJV)

Most of us take note when we’ve been attended to by a waiter in a restaurant, or a clerk in a retail store, who rendered service with gladness.  It arrests our attention; it lifts our spirit; it transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.  

Is there gladness in your service?

As you approach your tasks today — working as for the Lord — will you bring gladness to the task?

Will your interaction with others today — serving each as you would Jesus — transform the ordinary into the extraordinary because of your attitude?  – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on its customary Sunday break tomorrow.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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February 21
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Uncategorized Aside

“But exhort [encourage] one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13, KJV)

Do not underestimate the power of personal example.

Sin is deceitful (e. g. tricky) because it always promises much and delivers little. Fellow disciples who are immature, inexperienced, or ignorant of God’s word are prime candidates for sin’s deceit. 

Sin blunts the power of God’s spirit within us because it causes our heart to become less receptive (e. g. hardened) to both the Spirit’s guidance, and the Spirit’s gifts. The farther we are from God, the smaller God seems.  The antidote to this kind of atrophy is the disciples’ “exercise” of growing ever closer to our heavenly Father. 

We can be of immeasurable help to others at risk of sin’s deceit and insensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and gifts by using every opportunity — daily — to testify (e. g. give voice) to the active presence and the loving care of our heavenly Father in our personal example of what we do and what we say.  – Luther 

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